Cruise ship launched by Duchess of Cambridge to star in ITV documentary

The four-part programme - The Cruise Ship - will air this summer, and promises to show "unprecedented behind-the-scenes footage" on board the 3,600-passenger vessel, the world's seventh-largest, which was launched by the Duchess of Cambridge in June.

Filmed in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic over an eight-week period, it will be skewed in favour of the crew, with around "60-70 per cent of the running time devoted to staff," according to Paul Ludlow, UK and Europe managing director for Princess Cruises, which owns the ship. "Footage follows the crew above and below deck giving a real sense of the behind-the-scenes activity that makes the ship tick," he said.

With a voiceover by Fast Show comedian John Thompson, featured crew will include a British hairdresser (Kelly Woods), an Australian executive sous chef (Brent Waterson) and a Canadian singer (George Evans). Overseeing guest hospitality is Dirk Brand. A German national with more than 15 years of experience, Brand will be on hand to deal with all manner of challenges, including ensuring every one of the 1,800 cabins is spotlessly clean, making sure all 70,000 dishes that are washed daily meet his exact standards.

The cruise line has yet to confirm the date and time of the first episode.

Mr Ludlow said the programme should help to inspire a new generation to consider a cruise holiday. “Even our most well-travelled guests will be amazed at just how much hard work goes into making sure our ships run smoothly,” he added.

Last September a power outage on board Royal Princess forced the line to cancel a Mediterranean cruise.

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